Rendezvous ⤖ Draco Malfoy

𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄

Having Hermione Granger as her best friend definitely had it's benefits. They'd become best friends since first year when they met on the train. Hermione had been sat in the empty compartment when Hope barged in. Every other compartment was full, and she did not want to sit with the older students.

Hermione had been the first - and only - person Hope had confided in. Hermione knows who Hope really is and hasn't told a single soul that knowledge. She understood the danger she was in. She also knew the real reason why Hope had come to Hogwarts and not gone to Ilvermorny.

The Mikaelson's were a household name in America. As soon as she stepped foot into Ilvermorny, everyone would know who she was. Word would get around; therefore, it was easier if she was sent to another country. In England, barely anyone knew what the Mikaelson's looked like. They hadn't been spotted in a good few years.

And that was the way she liked it. It was better this way. She didn't need to deal with her father's enemies coming after her.

Hope walked from Ancient Runes with Hermione to Defence Against the Dark Arts where they took their separate seats. In that walk she'd been able to inform Hermione of her mum's passing but did not get the time to go into the full details.

Hope took her seat next to Magnolia.

"I have not asked you to take out your books." Snape spoke as he walked between the desks to the front of the classroom.

Hope grinned as she caught Hermione dropping her books back into her bag from the corner of her eye.

"I wish to speak to you. And I want your fullest attention. You have had five teachers in this subject so far, I believe." Snape's eyes scanned the room. "Naturally, these teachers will all have had their own methods and priorities. Given this confusion, I am surprised so many of you scraped an OWL in this subject. I shall be even more surprised if all of you managed to keep up with the NEWT work, which will be more advanced."

Snape prowled around the room, his voice lowering. "The Dark Arts are many varied, ever-changing and eternal. Fighting them is like fighting a many fighting a many headed monsters, which each time a neck is severed, sprouts a head even fiercer and cleverer than before. You are fighting that which is unfixed, mutating, indestructible. Your defences must therefore be as flexible and inventive as the arts you seek to undo. These pictures--" On the board, pictures flicked to life from the projector. "Give a fair representation of what happens to those who suffer, for instance the Cruciatus Curse, feel the Dementors kiss or provoke the aggression of the Inferi's."

"Has an Inferi been seen, then?" Parvati asked, "is it definite, is he using them?"

"The Dark Lord has used Inferi in the past. Which means you would be well-advised to assume he might use them again. Now...you are, I believe, complete novices in the use of nonverbal spells. What is the advantage of a nonverbal spell?"

Hermione's hand shot up the fastest.

"Very well, Miss Granger?"

"Your adversary has no warning about what kind of magic you're about to perform. Which gives you a split-second advantage."

"An answer copied almost word for word from the Standard Book of Spells, Grade Six." Snape dismissed. "But correct in essentials. Yet, those who profess in using magic without shouting incantations gain an element of surprise in their spell casting. Not all wizards can do this, of course, it is a question of concentration and mind power which some--" Snape's eyes landed on Harry. "lack. You will now divide into pairs. One partner will attempt to jinx the other without speaking. The other will attempt to repel the jinx in equal silence. Carry on."

Hope faced Magnolia only for her to speak far too quickly. "No. No way. Absolutely not. You go partner up with someone else. I'd like to actually stand a chance, thank you very much."

"You're no fun, Mags." Hope pouted but found Hermione already waiting for her.

Magic had always come easily to Hope as she is a firstborn witch. She had mastered non-verbal spells a while ago. Some wand magic spells she could do non-verbally but natural magic is always easier.

She took the defensive stance as Hermione practiced the jinxes. After ten minutes, light bounded from Hermione's wand, but Hope blocked it with a silent Protego. They stared at each other in accomplishment and set off to repeating the spells.

"Pathetic, Weasley." Snape said, snapping Hope and Hermione out of their duel. "Here let me show you." Snape turned his wand on Harry, and he instantly responded, completely forgetting that he was meant to be casting non-verbal.

"Protego!"

His charm was so strong that Snape was knocked off balance and he bumped into a desk.

"Do you remember me telling you we are practicing non-verbal spells, Potter?"

"Yes."

"Yes, sir."

"There's no need to call me 'sir', Professor." Harry retorted.

Several people gasped and Hope couldn't help but let the snort escape her. Her hand immediately rushed up to her mouth to hide behind.

"Detention, Saturday night, my office." Snape glared. "I do not take cheek from anyone, Potter...not even 'the chosen one'." He faced the rest of the class. "Next lesson we will be studying other types of magic. Specifically, how natural magic is different to our own."

This could not be happening. Hope's face turned white as his eyes landed on her own. A multitude of reasons sped through her mind. He was doing this on purpose. The head of Slytherin had it out for her.

Her pulse raced as she clenched her hands into fists.

Destroy him.

Her head twitched as she heard the voice.

You know you want too.

No. No she did not. She wasn't that type of person.

Are you not the daughter of Hybrid? Killing is in your blood.

"Shut up!"

"I didn't say anything, Hope." Hermione frowned at the witch, confusion on her face.

"Sorry Hermione. Not you, I think I'm having a bad day." Hope rubbed at her head, praying that it would ease the voices. They stopped but she could feel them simmering beneath the surface; a small humming keeping her company. "I'm going to go lie down. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Feel better, Hope." Hermione sent her a gentle smile.

Hope gathered her stuff and drifted out of the classroom before Magnolia could catch her.